I had a Chevron Osteotomy bunionectomy on my right foot 13 days ago. I am due for a follow up on Wednesday with my orthopedic surgeon. I have been non-weight bearing since the surgery while using crutches. I am young - 25 and just curious what the recovery timeline would look like. I don’t have any pins (although I do have a permanent screw) and I didn’t have a cast either (just a surgical boot and bandages since the surgery). I don’t have much pain anymore (not since the first 3 days). I elevate my foot and rest most of the days.

What should I expect in the next few weeks? I am pretty sure I start physical therapy next week for the following 4 weeks (3x a week). I would like to start walking or at least putting weight on my foot and ditch these crutches.

Any advice or feedback would be great? I am eager to get back on my feet!!!
Thanks again!!!:D

Hi Janmichele,

I guess we are the same age! But it really depends on the procedure you have, your surgeons instructions and how well you heal. Despite my age, I had to be on crutches for six weeks and it was so frustrating, I didn't have any pins or screws, just a a bandage and surgical sandal. I find in the states, the surgeons are eager to get you walking, so you might be able to ditch your crutches and continue to walk in your walking boot.

I hope it all goes well for you

:)

Hello! Newbie here!

I've had my surgery on April 11, 2008 for this procedure on my left foot. My dr. cut my big toe to shorten it and sawed off the bunion. He implanted 3 pins in there too. I have been in a small velcour type sandal shoe for 2 weeks now. He told me no walking or pressure on it..did I listen, no!:( I love my podiatrist, he is I thought was funny. Now, I think he's getting upset with me because I am now in a walking boot that I have to pump air into the foot and wear that all the time. I'm not a sit down type of person. I'm a very active mom with 2 boys that are in sports and etc. But he told me to STAY off my foot, because its not going to heal from the inside out correctly. Today, I am wearing my smaller shoe sandal that he provided me with after surgery and now my foot hurts. I thought it would be ok to wear other than to sleep with. But I guess, I need to go put that big boot on. I decided to just stay home today and do things around the house, because I'd be out doing errands as such. I was at the gym working out after my surgery and was only doing my upper body...then went grocery shopping, walking and more walking..yes it hurt but who else was going to do that for me. Well, come to find out at my dr. appt the following week. The dr. was really upset then. This past week I thought for sure I was coming home with my tennis shoe on the surgery foot, instead I came home with the walking boot. That I have to wear all the time, except for sleeping. The other surgical shoe is what I wear to bed. If I'm not careful, he said he'd put me in a white cast. So I better behave...cant help it. I get depressed sometimes, because I am such an active person and I cant sit still. Can anyone help me out?
Thanks for listening!

all of you-listen to your dr no matter what. you dont want any problems in the future-trust me.

Be patient. You'll get there. Try to plan ahead, and avoid the need to walk too far. There are people who can help you out, try to let them know what you need. If you really need to go to a store, try one that rents scooters.

Hi Jan,

You are doing the right things by resting and elevating your foot. Remember to ice, as well. Yes, the recovery process can be very different for each person, depending both on their bodies and their surgeon's preferences. I am also really active, but my doctor promised that I would have a much better outcome if I listened to him religiously for the first week and did not walk on the surgeried foot. I think he was right.
I had an Austin procedure on March 7th with two permanent screws placed. I am about 90% back to normal now. My unofficial limitations are that I'm not quite ready to wear heels again, and my foot does still ache and swell a bit if I'm on it for hours at a time. That said, I am back to the gym with little or no discomfort, and generally doing well. I have my last post-op visit in 2 weeks, and I'm hoping for a clean bill of health.
I posted a lot of updates along the way, so feel free to read some of my posts over the past 2 months. Good luck with recovery!